Let’s try this again

While it’s true you only get one chance to make a first impression — and what a horrible first impression Cal football made a week ago — the Bears at least get a second chance to win their first game in new Memorial Stadium.

For Saturday’s first-ever meeting with the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, Cal will be without right tackle Matt Summers-Gavin. He sprained his MCL and will be out, his spot in the lineup going to junior Bill Tyndall, who had a little playing time a year ago.

“He’s ready to go,” offensive coordinator and line coach Jim Michalczik said. “He’s a veteran guy. It’s his time to step up.”

Michalczik said “it’s going to take a little bit of time,” before the player known as MSG is ready to return. Thus, freshman Freddie Tagaloa is now in the rotation at the tackle positions, even though he’s a true left tackle. Sophomore guard Geoffrey Gibson has also practiced at tackle for depth purposes.

Linebacker Khairi Fortt, the Penn State transfer, is getting closer to being able to play. He’s perhaps two weeks from making his Cal debut, coach Jeff Tedford said.

Sophomore cornerback Kameron Jackson started in the nickel defense as the fifth defensive back vs. Nevada but did not play well enough to hold onto that spot, defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast said.

“He’s got to earn his way back into the mix,” Pendergast said.

Working as an analyst on the Pac-12 Networks broadcast of Saturday’s game will be alum Gary Plummer, the longtime NFL linebacker. In his playing days at Cal, Plummer was a very undersized nose tackle. Dogged determination, smarts and a position change to linebacker led to a long NFL career for Plummer.